Daytona State College selects first female president

Current Frederick Community College President, Carol Eaton, selected in near unanimous vote

Daytona State College selected its first female president Wednesday in the school’s near 60-year history, said The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Two-time community college president, Carol Eaton, could become the college’s sixth president if she accepts the offer.

Eaton was chosen after a near unanimous vote by the board of trustees due to her “extensive” educational experience, including being the current president of Frederick Community College in Frederick, Md., and ability to generate funding for her current school.

“She has the right background and I think is best situated to take our college forward,” said board trustee Forough Hosseini.

The College has been looking to fill the position since it approved a $1,200,000 retirement and separation agreement last year for 11-year president Kent Sharples. A number of board members were concerned with the College’s offering of $1,500,000 to the Community Cultural Foundation under Sharples’ watch. The money has not yet been repaid.

Eaton’s contract negotiations are to be discussed Thursday. If she does not accept the offer, the position will be offered to chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains and retired Marine colonel, Drew Bennett. However, Hosseini felt that Bennett did not possess presidential experience, as did Eaton.

And while Eaton is also a finalist for Thomas Nelson Community College’s president, she seems to be keen on this position. “I’m very pleased with the decision of the board and thank them for their confidence,” she said.